From:
Amráin Muige Seóla
Traditional folk songs from Galway and Mayo Collected By Mrs Costello, Tuam (1923)
Jim Carroll

Do you remember that night? the town was full of horses,
With priests and brothers who were speaking of the wedding.
There was a fiddle on a table, and the harp was being played,
And there were three fair women there to lay out my love.

A widow and a maiden was I left while yet young!
And bear the news to my people that my love was drowned.
If I were on the strand that day and my two hands on the sheet,
My word to you, Mrs. Reilly, 'tis well I would cure your sorrow. |

No wonder sorrow now distracts your mother and your father
And the nurse of the white bosom, who spoke of you when a child.
I'd pass by your wedded wife, who never made your bed,
Since you went to the strand that day, and alas! failed to come home.

I would not consider it above Willie Reilly to be son-in-law to a king,
With bright shining curtains on each side of him in the night,
A gentle, sensible maiden to be arranging his head (on the pillow).
Since we were engaged to one another, alas, that you should have died from me (in my time) !

The monsters have your eyes, and the crabs your mouth;
Your two bright white hands are in the power of the salmon.
I would give five pounds to the person who would take up my love,
But, my grief, that you are left alone, fair Nelly Jordan !

The blessing of God on the three who went to Kilannin
To hurry Father Peter, who was eighty years old.
If you came in a month's time, but, my grief, you will never come!
How sad for a woman in the night, and her spouse upon the waves!

My curse on the tradesmen who made the boat,
Because they did not tell me that death was in the boards.
If you had gone to Killtogher and bought timber that was dear,
My love would not be drowned on the coast of Malbay.